"Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of truth." — (Psalm 60:4)

"Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them." — (Isaiah 13:2)

Devoted To The Defense Of The Church Against All Errors And Innovations

Vol.VIII No.I Pg.13

June 1945

Whiteside's Commentary On Romans

A noted scholar once remarked that the book of Romans was the profoundest production in all literature. Shallow minds and superficial treatment certainly cannot do justice to such an amazing and enduring discussion of redemption from sin as Paul has written in this famous epistle.

R. L. Whiteside is superbly qualified to write a commentary on the book of Romans. He has a rich background of age and experience. He was born in Tennessee, December 27th, 1869, where he attended the public schools, West Tennessee Christian College and the Nashville Bible School. He developed an ambition early in life to know and to teach the word of God. By nature he is modest and rather retiring, but his thirst for knowledge made him a close student and his loyalty to the truth made him an independent thinker. As a student under David Lipscomb, he admired the stalwart character and humble bearing of that great man. However, on more than one occasion he took issue with the expressed views of Brother Lipscomb. Brother Lipscomb has been known to listen to him attentively on some point of difference and remark: "You may be right, I will study the question further"; and at the next recitation period of the class announce: "I am convinced that Brother Whiteside is correct in the view he expressed."

Brother Whiteside has been a close student of the Bible all of his life. His critical mind and power of reasoning have afforded him an insight into the teaching of the Bible as a whole that few men have. His implicit faith in God has led him to seek to know only what the will of God is, that he might comply with it and teach it without faltering. The degree of his success has left him a store of knowledge covering a wide field and eminently fitted him for producing an outstanding commentary on the book of Romans.

He successfully served as president of Abilene Christian College for two years. He has ministered to some of the strongest congregations as a preacher, spending five successive years with the church in Denton, Texas where he has lived for many years. He has engaged in a number of oral and written debates, was always confident and at ease and the cause of Christ prospered as a result of each discussion. His deportment has always been that of a gentleman in debate as on all other occasions. For a number of years he wrote the Annual Commentary on the Bible School lessons published by the Gospel Advocate and was otherwise a regular contributor to that paper. He is a veteran writer and widely recognized as a very able one.

The commentary on the book of Romans is decidedly not just another book. It is not a plagiaristic rehash of other books that have been written. It is not the green product of a big hurry to write a book or dictate it to a stenographer. The book is a natural. It is a maturity that has been in the process of growth for a long, long time. The author's years of study of and inspiring essays on the apostolic masterpiece have created a wide spread demand for the book, a book that in a way just had to be. It is here. It is a distinct contribution to Christian literature which will be recognized, not only by the church of which he is a member, but by others also. It will find its place into the libraries of Bible students and teachers throughout the land. In some remarkable instances the author has broken new ground which will bring much satisfaction to the student and open up a field of new thoughts. The literary style of the work is highly gratifying. The reader does not have to dig through a lot of superfluous verbiage to get at the thought. It is pointed right at your heart in a straight line. Here is a book you will want, get, and cherish.